Danielle and JoBeth loved BDHS and threw themselves totally into all aspects of school life: academics, sports, and extra-curricular activities. D and JB excelled in the classroom and each had received scholarships to local colleges. They both played volleyball, basketball and softball. If not competing themselves, you can bet they were lending their voices in support of their classmates in other sports or activities.
Danielle was raised from the cradle by her mother Jodi and father Courtney to put service to others before service to herself. Her parents modeled this for her throughout her life, always answering “YES” when requested to help out. Her father would do anything for others. If in God’s plan it was Danielle’s time, it is fitting that it be her father’s too, so that he could lead the way to heaven as he led her to a life of service in this life.
Jo Beth’s strength and stamina are the result of many difficulties her family has faced in her 18 years: Her father Bob was hurt in a work-related accident several years ago and has been on disability since. Her mother died of cancer six years ago and her grandfather is dying of cancer now. Her aunt, who had become her second mother, was fatally shot two years ago and a flood destroyed their home three years ago. Not only has Mr. Gross been forced to deal with tragedy, but he does not have funeral insurance and will be forced to borrow money to pay for this funeral.
In view of this, and because people ask what can they do as they feel helpless before this terrible tragedy, we have created the "Angel Fund" in rememberance of Danielle and JoBeth.
This fund, first and foremost, will help Mr. Gross pay for the funeral of his daughter and other related bills he might have.
Secondly, we’d like to make it possible for other students like JoBeth and Danielle to have the opportunity to attend Bishop Donahue High School. BDHS is a small school and although it provides a wonderful and unique family atmosphere as witnessed by the tremendous pulling together we’ve seen with faculty, students, and parents, it has not been able to sustain itself financially for the past several years and is in substantial debt due to its annual budget deficit. Therefore, we’d like to establish a fund in memory of the girls which would grant tuition assistance to students who cannot pay the full tuition.
Finally, if the Angel Fund grew large enough, the school would establish an endowment fund the name of JoBeth Gross and Danielle Block. The interest from the endowment would supplement the annual budget. In the best case scenario, this may allow us to lower tuition so that more students might enroll in the school. Such an endowment fund would be the girls’ last and lasting gift to a school which gave them so much.
If you would like to make a gift to the Angel Fund please send your contributions to:
The Angel Fund
c/o Wesbanco, The CFOV Inc.
P.O. Box 3048
Wheeling, WV 26003
*Please contact the school if you would like more information.